Students Win Six Medals at National Science Fair

Nova Scotia students arrived home from the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Saguenay, Que., on Monday, May 22, with two silver and four bronze medals.

Nova Scotia sent 38 participants, its largest delegation -- to the national science fair.

Abeer Hasan, a Grade 7 student at Bedford South School, received a silver medal in earth and environmental science for her project Fungus among us. She created a biodegradable cup that could help reduce non-recyclable waste from landfills.

Graham Mann, a Grade 8 student at Centre Consolidated School in Lunenburg, received a silver medal in engineering for his project Help! Can anyone hear me?. He created a device to increase cell phone reception in areas of marginal coverage.

The other award winners are:

• Sheralynne Deveaux, Riverview High School: bronze medal, earth and environmental sciences, for Something fishy
• Darren Rodenhizer and Oliver Hatheway, Park View Education Centre: bronze medal, physical and mathematical sciences, for Converting a homemade cathode ray tube into a laser
• Justin Hingley, Bible Hill Junior High: bronze medal, life sciences, for Out of the blue
• Gary Hood, Riverview High School: bronze medal, automotive, and honourable mention, physical and mathematical sciences, for Biodiesel on ice
• Richard Wile, Bedford South School: honourable mention, engineering, for Instruments tops: How wood choice affects sound
• Peter Marshall, Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High: honourable mention, earth and environmental science, for Good tips for wood chips
• Ria Van der Linden, Chedabucto Education Centre: honourable mention, life sciences, for Birds in my back yard.

Medals, awards and scholarships were handed out Friday, May 19.

"Our science fair participants should be pleased with their accomplishments. Their national recognition is well-earned," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "Congratulations to all the students and dedicated parents and teachers involved in science fairs across the province."

This was the first year that students from Conseil scolaire acadien provincial and the Mi'kmaq First Nations schools competed at the national level.

Science fairs help develop many facets of a student's abilities, from practising fundamental math and literacy to sharpening research and presentation skills.

Nova Scotia science curriculum supports teachers in helping children develop their scientific literacy. This offers students a foundation for problem-solving, inquiry, decision-making, and lifelong learning.

The Canada-Wide Science Fair, which attracts about 450 young scientists and another 450 volunteers annually, will be held in Truro in 2007.